Okay once again I'm breaking my own one-week time-off from OSNews due to, you know, taking a break and being too busy with other things, but this one is big - very big. Also, only the second time in OSNews history we've used the 'breaking'-tag. Google has just announced it is going to buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion (more here). While providing Google with a dedicated mobile phone business, it also gives Google ownership of one of the most valuable mobile technology patent portfolios in existence. Update:Responses from the Android ecosystem are positive. HTC: "We welcome the news of today's acquisition, which demonstrates that Google is deeply committed to defending Android, its partners, and the entire ecosystem." Sony Ericsson & LG: "We welcome Google's commitment to defending Android and its partners."

I fail to see how Google owning the same weaker portfolio makes it any stronger overnight.

Such a fight is expensive, takes long and usually ends with an arrangement. Sometimes it's easier and more cheap to just pay (and maybe even get something in return) to reach that arrangement faster.

Now the interests are different. Moto's top-priority is protecting the Android-ecosystem now.

3) People who think the other Android licensees are happy about this really need to think 30 seconds.

You can be sure they get something in return. The statements are clear that this protects the ecosystem and the partners. Both of them where in strong need for that. And maybe there are even more details we don't know about yet.

4) If you think Google is not going to favor its own hardware over that of licensees you're being naive.

If you think google would kill it's successful Android online-/service-strategy then you are naive. They have better ways to maximize profit while still keeping partners happy (like removing the Microsoft/Apple taxes and control what they just did & kick competition out what is what happens with Microsoft/Nokia Phone 7).